People Don’t Buy Things, They Join Things

People Don’t Buy Things, They Join Things

Humans are creatures of habit. Often times our behaviors are predictable. Old habits are hard to break, good or bad. Why would we expect social media to be any different? Why should we expect that just because marketers can now connect with anyone across they world in a simple 140 character tweet that they will by default do it any different than the days of email spam, direct mail and traditional broadcast marketing advertising.

Traditional media and marketing use to be focused primarily on a broadcast message. A one to many message focused on delivering the message the brand wanted the recipients to hear. Most marketers didn’t care if you understood or even liked the message, as they had the expected percentages of return based on the number of eyeballs or ears who heard and read their message down to a science.

I was one of them and can remember being able to predict almost to the penny the return I would get on email blasts, direct mail and other marketing mediums. I could predict how recipients would respond. I knew that they were creatures of habit and were taught to behave in a particular way. They had no other option if they wanted to learn about brands, technology and how to grow their business. We knew if they had a need that eventually they would purchase the product and the more that we were in their face, the better and deeper brand impression we could make, the higher our chances were that we would be the chosen brand for purchase.

Guess what folks… times have changed.

People no longer buy things, they join things.

People no longer are amazed by the latest commercial, billboard or radio segment. People aren’t running to their mail boxes excited for the next spam letter or coupon. They’re not looking on their iPhone for the next email spam message with a deceptive title only to find the first three paragraph bragging about you, your company and your revenues!

They also aren’t waking up early in the morning thinking “what Facebook pages will I go LIKE today” or “what business Facebook pages will I go visit and see what they want to sell me.”

Nope, people are waking up overwhelemed. They want to connect with real people who will help them make it thru the day. People who they can share their ups and downs. People who will support them, inspire them, educate them and help them grow. They want to connect with real people and make real friends. They want to interact with brands who treat them as human beings not robot Facebook likers.

They aren’t thinking first of what they are going to buy. Instead they are looking for things to join. It is human nature to want to connect, be accepted, be part of a group that will make you feel better.

They will buy products from communities who make them feel good. People buy from people. They will buy from you when you make them feel like a person, not a number.

It’s why people run to platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and LinkedIn. It’s not just about sharing pictures, status updates or spying on the neighbors. It’s about being accepted. It’s about fitting in both online and in real life.

Think of when you purchased your first iPod or iPhone. Did you purchase it because you wanted the product? Of course you did. But you also purchased it because you instantly became a member of the white earbud community. You were part of something. The white headphones and iPhone connect you with people you don’t know. Even if you don’t want to admit it’s true, you know deep down it is.

People want value.

Business leaders must learn it is about much more than a Facebook like. It is not about community control and selling to robots who like your Facebook page. Change your mindset to “how can I create a community that provides value?”

The focus should be on building communities that people want to join. Communities that are organic and dynamic. Communities that inspire, educate, make people laugh, support them, pull them up when they fall down and forgive them when they make a mistake.

Build Social Sticky Fabric

The businesses who will win in the game of social media will be the ones who are the community. Sorry folks, your only goal of a Facebook page, a Twitter profile, or a website isn’t to increase rankings or your influence score. The social networks are also not just another medium for you to blast more noise to an already noisy world! Instead think of it as one big social fabric you can leverage to create the most sticky community possible.

Connect with people in real ways so that they do think of you when rolling out of bed. However, only difference is they’re not thinking of what you tried to sell them. Instead they’re thinking of how you made them laugh. How you helped them grow by teaching them something new. Or how you helped them win, become the hero at their workplace by feeling empowered to impact needed change.

Invest in people first, business second.

I have said it a million times and I’ll say it again. Social media is about the people. You must first get in the head of your communities and understand what makes them tick. What will make them sticky? How can you help them, inspire them, make them laugh? Only by investing in people will you ever see return on your investment.

Go ahead ignore me. I challenge you to come back in 12 months time doing it your way and share with me your results.

It’s not about you. It’s about what you can do for the people. It’s what you can do to build a community of people who support one another.

Be the fabric, not just the loud noise screaming for attention.

Your role as a business leader, brand, company and community leader is to be the fabric. Facebook is not the fabric. Facebook is the platform, the materials of which the meidum depends on. You my friends are the fabric. Your heart, your voice and your time. That’s the fabric.

Brands that learn this early in the adoption cycle of social media will be far ahead of their competition. Facebook is not going to solve your business problems. You are going to solve your business problems just as you have been doing since the day you opened your business doors or you accepted your position at your organization.

Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and the million other platforms are the vessel, the tools and technology for which you can build the fabric that connects you and your brand with the people. It’s the conversation, knowledge, time taken to invest in people that will make your fabric sticky. It’s not asking for likes or begging me to take a non-existent Twitter conversation to Facebook when we haven’t spoke to begin with.

15 Tips To Build Communities

1. Focus on the people. Know who they are, what they want, and how you can help them.

2. Invest in people first, business second.

3. Quit measuring your success by only Facebook likes.

4. Your influence and ability to build community is more important than your Klout score.

5. Focus on value to the community. Know what you have to offer. Know what your members have to offer.

6. Empower leaders. Leaders should rise to the top organically. Empower them, not stifle them. They will be your most powerful evangelists.

7. Don’t depend on Klout and other influence scores to determine who should be in your community. You may miss out on your greatest community leaders, clients, partners and even investors if you make decisions on who you should interact with based on a metric that is not related to human connection.

8. Don’t follow your competition. Just because it’s the way your competition is doing something does not mean it’s the right way. Learn from them but do not copy them. Do your own research.

9. Come out from behind the logo and avatar. Show your smiling face. Let us know there is a real person behind the Facebook wall.

10. Treat me as a human being. Talk to me like I have ears, a mouth and a heart. Don’t treat me like a robot and deliver the same message repeatedly. I have good days and bad days just like you. Sometimes I want to be inspired. Other days I want challenged. Vary your message and you may get to know me.

11. Learn more about me than teaching me about you. Don’t send me an email after I have opted into your email newsletter that is filled with 3/4 of information of all the awards you have won, or your fabulous growth when I am waiting on you to return my phone call. I am amazed at the number of these I receive from supposed successful social media and marketing agencies. #fail in my humble opinion.

12. Provide structure but let the community organically grow. Let the people norm, storm, form and perform. If you try to force them from norming to performing you’re pushing against human nature and it human nature will win. Lead them but don’t control them.

13. Be innovative. Don’t just depend on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. Leverage the tools to build community on and offline. Host a tweet chat or an offline meetup. I host the #GetRealChat Tuesday nights at 9pm et. We usually have between 12-18 million impressions within an hour timeframe all via Twitter. I’d say tweet chats are living proof of people wanting to connect in real ways.

14. Quit asking me to like you. Instead of begging me to visit or like your Facebook page, provide me a reason to. Spend the time you normally spend spamming me on developing something that provides me value.

15. Share yourself and your brand with me. Share your innards. Don’t be afraid to show your real self. But do so in a way that enables me to connect with you as a human being not as a cash register.

Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!

CEO / Founder Marketing Nutz, full service social media, digital marketing, experiential brand, conversion optimization agency. Ranked by Forbes as Top 10 Social Media Women and 10 Social Media Power Influencer. Keynote speaker, author, strategist, consultant, coach, & trainer. Helps businesses of all sizes integrate social media into the DNA of their business, connect with target audiences to nurture authentic customer relationships. 15+ years experience working with Fortune 500, Franchised corporations with 4000+ local franchises to entrepreneurs and startups.

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BruceSallan

Hang on a moment, Pam, I need to first check this hour’s number of likes and how many followers I have on Twitter. Okay, I’m back. But wait, I haven’t checked my Klout score yet. It was lagging when I got up 20 minutes ago – hopefully it’s picked up!

So, about your wonderful post. But wait, let’s talk a bit more about ME!

Enough about me, what do you think of ME?

As always, Pam, you share such wisdom and good advice! Do you ever run out?

@dino_dogan Yes, finally a string of comments where I am not the craziest one! LOL How ya’ be Dino? Did you get my text the other day in response to your text. I have a 2 hr drive tomorrow to Ocala. Call me if ya’ want to catch up. I have to be there by 10 so will be in car no later than 8!

@BruceSallan You are a wild and crazy person! No wonder I so enjoy interacting with you and “getting to know you . . . .” Heck, the reason I JOINED #DadChat was to be around you and your incredible energy even though I am neither a Dad nor a parent–except, of course, for Kina’ole.

@BruceSallan Bruce you are a hoot! You always make me laugh. You must be crazy because you always have so many nice things to say about me. You are one of the people who I am truly blessed to have met via Triberr.

I too need to check out your #Dadchat when is it? I obviously am not a dad but have lots of opinions as a mom and what dads should do! ha ha

No really, good cause you’re doing with that chat. I know many dads who need support and don’t have it.

Loved it, loved it, loved it. Why people forget that the only difference between online people and offline people is that the first ALSO happens to be online, is beyond me. People are people wherever they may be.

So glad, Pam, that i JOINED #GetRealChat and got to know you. You enrich my life and make me smile. Best wishes for a terrific day. Until later–after we talk about Bruce–aloha, Janet

@janetcallaway Janet – the feeling is truly mutual. I can still remember like it was yesterday the night you and @SteveCassady tweeted into #GetRealChat. You both were like a breath of fresh, real air and you still are to this day.

You make my days brighter & my life better. I thank you for your friendship and for pushing back on me & being so very real when I need it. Blessed to know you and call you friend! xoxo

Couldn’t agree more, Pam. Many in my industry focus on the “what” instead of the “why”, which is the same concept as focusing on “buying things” not “joining things”.

I’ve seen it in my own business. When we focused on creating a connected group of people, inspired to plug in and join together to create a place where everyone appreciated, it made all the difference. I believe it’s even more important in today’s digital world to focus on connecting with people as that is what can so easily be left behind.

You do an excellent job of this on many fronts. The Pam Moore Daily is one of my faves!

Great article. I run a huge music community and a few others Brand related. There’s a lot of the social media work that is beyond what can be put into task lists. I spend hours a day just maintaining relationships and encouraging ppl. Running a volunteer/street team taught me how to pay in support and compliments, so I have Sticky Communities everywhere:) So, Yes, I do agree.

You’re so right, Pam. I think about the groups I feel “a part of” — or those that I want to be a part of — and they are indeed the ones I feel supported in/by; it just feels easy and natural to join in. People need to remember is that it does take some time to get the feel being social online. Especially if a business if new or just trying something new with social media; the technology is a bit of a hurdle to jump sometimes. (i.e. the realization that setting up a blog or getting an email campaign sent really does take a bit of sit-down time.) The personal feel everyone is looking for requires some practice…even if you are a natural in real life! It’s almost a lifestyle change for a small biz owner to segue to the web.

PamMktgNut

@TammyRedmon thanks Tammy! You rock sistah!

TammyRedmon

@PamMktgNut You are always most welcome. Blessings girlt!

PamMktgNut

@TammyRedmon you too honeeee! What are you up to these days? We need to pick an event & meet in the middle!

TammyRedmon

@PamMktgNut For sure!! Or create an event in our honor where we want to meet. hehehe

PamMktgNut

@TammyRedmon ha for sure! Actually we will be hosting some events by this time next yr! We must talk my friend!

This post is so dead on. I have recently asked this question to another guy I know on twitter..”Is it me or is your feed beginning to look like nothing but links to people’s blog posts?” We both agreed. While posting links is great, after all found this post, it is obvious that some are just interested in pushing their stuff. I recently went through who I follow and deleted a bunch. Interesting how many followers dropped off quickly as well with the wonderful, personal, warm, auto programs in place. I have enjoyed Twitter so much more with my smaller lists and having conversations.

My favorite comparison is using social media as attending a cocktail hour. Could you imagine, “Hey did you read my blog post? How about now? Here it is again, did you read it yet? Here is another one? Did you like me yet? How about now?” : )

Jeffyshep

@PamMktgNut I disagree with this. When I bought my computer I did not buy it to join anything. I did not buy a car to join anything either.